This study investigated 9 variables to determine their relationship to the frequency
of use of “Play Therapy” or non- verbal counseling techniques by elementary school
counselors as well as their relationship to counselor perceived self-efficacy when
counseling children who speak a language in which the counselor is not fluent. The
notion of placing an emphasis on “Play Therapy” or non- verbal counseling techniques
with such a population has emerged as a possible therapeutic intervention when working
with individuals from a cultural background which is different from that of the counselor.
Researchers in counseling have noted the importance of providing adequate
services to diverse populations including those who do not speak a language in which the
counselor is fluent. This study was based on the concept that an elementary school
counselor’s effectiveness when counseling children who speak a language in which the
counselor is not fluent is related to the counselor’s level of training in non-verbal
counseling techniques, level of training in multicultural counseling, years of counseling
experience, professional membership affiliations, fluency in other languages, gender, and
grade level in which the counselor works.
Statistically significant relationships were found with several of the variables
including level of training in play therapy, membership in the Association for Play
Therapy and American School Counselor Association, and grade level in which the
counselor works. Elementary school counselors and counselor educators can utilize the
findings of this study to develop and implement programs that teach play therapy and other non-verbal counseling techniques to elementary school counselors. These
experiences may help provide better services to diverse populations including those who
speak a language in which the counselor is not fluent.

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.